Opening Statement..."For the past four years, Georgia State University has been blessed with Bill Curry. I say Georgia State University and not just Georgia State football because of his impact and how he has touched the entire university community. Without question, Bill Curry has been the perfect person to lead Georgia State football in its infancy. From the moment he was hired, he brought instant credibility and notoriety. Long before we had helmets and players and facilities, we had this universally respected figure.

"For the past three years, we have been focused on the goal of making Georgia State a top research institution with an excellent football program. Hiring coaches, recruitment of players, building facilities, new equipment, new band, new fight song, an incredible inaugural season and most recently, accepting an invitation into the Sun Belt and transitioning to FBS are just a few things we've accomplished the past three years."

"Now it's time to let Bill Curry go and turn the page to move to a new chapter in his life. We all know about Coach Curry's amazing football background as a player, a coach and a leader - 10 years as a player in the NFL, three Super Bowls and two Pro Bowls, 17 years as a head coach at Georgia Tech, Alabama and Kentucky, Coach of the Year awards in the ACC and SEC. More importantly, the integrity, leadership, values and class that Coach Curry displays every day and in everything he does is what makes him so special and a cornerstone of this program. I've said many times that Coach Curry can be the coach of our football team as long as he wants to and that's still the case. He's made his decision based on what's right for him and his family. He is a hero to his players, an ambassador to this University and a lifelong friend to everyone in this room."

On the next step..."Following the season, we'll do a national search. I do want to make sure we keep the focus on this season. At this point, all I can tell you about the next coach is that it will be a person of integrity. It will be an individual who is a teacher, a leader, a motivator, a recruiter, and a winner. We need to find that and we will. At some point, and I don't want to interfere with the season, I will talk to each assistant coach and find out what their goals are. I will be an advocate for them as well. There are a number of things we need to do, but I don't want to lose focus on this season. Every game we want to celebrate a win with the coach on my right."

Georgia State Football Coach Bill Curry

Opening Statement..."There are so many true heroes in this venture that time won't permit. There will be time to properly say thanks to all the entities and that will be at the end of this season. There will be a time for emotion and reminiscing and all those things that go along with these moments. My reason for wanting to do this announcement now is wanting to focus on what matters, which is Georgia State being ready for this season.

"When we think about Georgia State, it's with a lot more appreciation then you might realize. To get a chance to do something here has been very special. This has been more than an athletic job; this has been an opportunity to make a contribution to a fabric and a culture. We've been through lots of things here. I asked permission to stay through this contract and was given permission and we'll throw our heart and soul into this season. We're going to talk about the Panther football team from here on.

"I'm excited about our football team, not because of a great burst of talent or creativity on our part, but because of the enthusiasm of our men. We are working harder than at any other point of the program. There is an evolution that we are having to learn. We are still learning how to practice and how to play football the right way. I pray that what we get this year is the next step in performance on the field, in the classroom and in the community. We're excited about this season."

On how he made the decision to retire..."There are a number of things, but this one would have been enough. And that is we have five grandchildren. The one thing that is highly touted but not overrated is grandchildren. I'm going to know those grandchildren. I love working and I work a lot of hours, but I'm going to be there for them. You can't do this job without working 80-90 hours a week. I turn 70 this October and working 90 hours a week is probably not the best thing to do, simply put.

On whether he will change his mind during the season..."No. I thought long and hard about it and that would be the worst thing I could do. You just can't do that to the University because they've got to get on with things. Someone has to come here and run this thing. So for me to be vacillating would be the worst thing."

On how he told his players..."It's difficult. That I've leveled with them since the very beginning helped a lot. I never fell into the trap of saying maybe I'll stay around until you graduate. I always said I'd decide at the end of this contract. Having become sure knowing what is going to happen, I can't walk around telling people, I don't know yet, because I do. I had to be sure and we spend many hours and we're sure."

On whether he will be involved in hiring his replacement..."For me to presume that I will be a part of the coaching search is a bad mistake. I'm not presuming that. If my opinion is asked, I will offer it. But I will not try to intrude. I would love to see our staff get a chance to stay, but I think a lot of that depends upon our performance this year. If I'm asked, I will participate. If not, I won't."

On what it's been like to begin a program..."It's been humbling. I've made more mistakes. I've done things that I look back on and said 'You haven't been through this before.' Then I thought, 'Maybe it's just because I'm old.' Then I called one of my former players who told me, 'You made the same mistakes when you were 37. You just didn't admit it.' Confidence is so much of coaching, so I know there's an element of truth to what he said."